“On the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, the enemies of Afghanistan have shown they will shun peaceful coexistence in favor of attacking government forces,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. He said that today’s actions and the Afghan forces’ improved tactics mean “insurgents will have no safe place to hide within the borders of this country.”

The engagement in Oruzgan province started when insurgents in Aduzay village, in Deh Rawood district, attacked a combined Afghan security force and coalition patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. The Afghan-led force returned fire and called for coalition close-air support after confirming the enemy was drawing large amounts of reinforcements from areas across the Helmand River.

Meanwhile, in the Garmser district of Helmand province, Afghan forces detained 10 individuals for questioning because of suspected involvement in militant activities. A small cache of small arms, ammunition and a grenade was found at the site and destroyed.